Syracuse, NY -- When the 23 newly graduated Syracuse Firefighters begin working one of their number won’t be with them.

Probationary Firefighter Gregory Allen is a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant in the infantry in the reserves. Although his contract with the corps expires June 6, under the military's stop loss program it was extended.

Allen leaves Monday for Camp Pendleton in California. He is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in August.

Allen graduated today along with 22 others in a ceremony at the Everson Museum of Art.